Mindscape 100 | Solo: Life and Its Meaning

A podcast only hits the century mark once! And for Mindscape, this is it. There have been holiday messages and bonus episodes and the like. But this is the 100th officially-numbered episode. To celebrate, I decided to treat myself to a solo episode in which I reflect, somewhat non-systematically, on the age-old question of the meaning of life. I end up spending a lot (most?) of the time talking about the meaning of “life,” i.e. what it means to be a living organism in a naturalistic universe. But then I go on to muse about the construction of human meaning in a world where values are not imposed on us or objectively grounded in physical facts.

I think life does have meaning, and it’s important to understand what forms it might take. I settle largely on the idea that humans can conceive of different possible futures, assign value to them, and work against the natural order of things to create something that otherwise would not have been. This is far from the final word, even in my own mind; it’s an invitation to think and converse in a reasonable way about some of the biggest questions there are. Just like the podcast in general.

#podcast #ideas #science #philosophy #culture

[ameremortal]

This is the best thing you’ve done. We need big picture ideas to keep us growing.

[Toocrash]

Hi Sean('s public), congrats!
Thank you for trying to convey your light, it's a lot of time and effort!
A Nigerian proverb, found on Tiktok:
A child that does not feel the warmth of a village, will burn the village, to feel the warmth of the fire.

About 90% of the serotonin in the body, is of microbial origin. Healthy food makes us happier.
An anxiety attack can be stopped by biting in a lemon, have them on hand.

[GGoAwayy]

I loved hearing this topic discussed finally by someone whose worldview I share. People all require meaning in their lives. Sometimes we run out of meaning. I think this is why religions have hung around so long, because it provides meaning even if you have nothing else. But its better to do the work of creating meaningful relationships, experiences, feelings etc in your life on your own. The meaning you create for yourself is always going to be richer than the meaning someone else makes and hands over to you.

[jbert]

Congratulations on the 100th episode! I appreciate all of them

[davidbridgewater]

Sean actually said, There's only one world". I'm still reeling.

[sriharsha]

I was listening to this on the boat ride from Athens to Mykonos. Thanks for making these episodes Sean.

[rc]

Having listened to Sean Carroll discuss this topic several times, imho Dr. Carroll has improved greatly at communicating his views. This is a great solo episode of Mindscape!

[shubi]

Many congratulations Sean. Highly appreciate your talks.

[sangs]

You're a good soul Sean. I've learned a lot from you. Thank You!

[akumar]

Love the topic, will be lisenting multiple times, this is awe inspiring.

[alexcherfan]

Love this episode Sean. I would say I'm an optimistic nihilist, living in a time full of paradoxes, so not unique. Thanks for all the awesome videos lately. Interested to hear your thoughts on free will!

[czerskip]

Hearing how brilliant conscious beings figure out the world around us is the purpose of my life.

[michaeljmorrison]

Thank you for this; Australians need to listen to this too!

[ferociousmullet]

I can feel the existential crisis rising just from the title.

[kennethbosch]

crikey, first minute and am like this is why I love sean carroll, truly amazing

[iriswillbeheresoon]

Damn, I've been driving myself to sadness thinking about this for the last month. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one thinking about this

[celienepaul]

So appropriate. Agree we don't come with an attached purpose. Think we are given via cosmic emergence, in every moment, opportunities to respond in a variety of ways. Up to us to respond in any way we choose; with purpose, fear, kindness etc. & that will define us. Tq Sean for responding wholeheartedly by sharing via your inspiring podcasts

[marcelotemer]

Very good episode, thanks Mr. Carroll.

[jonathanbyrdmusic]

I actually do think about my purpose as the way I am being used, or possibly the way that I can be used. Although I am a physicalist and a non-religious person, it is helpful for me to think about “the purpose that God has for me.“ It’s a functional visualization that helps me think about how I am serving the rest of humanity by enriching their lives with my art, and teaching others likewise how to make good art. I suppose in this case “good” means “purposeful.”

[wrongtimeweeder]

That "torch" analogy keeps making my brain explode... over, and over again.